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Political
Empowerment:
Palestinian Women
in Politics
alestinian women have played an active and vocal role in Palestinian political life for gener-
ations. While most female political leaders have certainly not been as visible as their
male counterparts, women have played numerous roles within the Palestinian political
system, and have occupied key decision-making positions. Much more needs to be done
to encourage their further participation, but there are a number of women who continue
to provide inspiration for future generations of both male and female Palestinian leaders.
 Hanan Ashrawi Hanan Ashrawi is arguably the most well-known
Palestinian female politician and has spent her life
advocating on behalf of the Palestinian people,
particularly Palestinian women. Born in Ramallah
in 1946, she has been active in Palestinian civil
society, founding the Palestinian Initiative for the
Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy
(MIFTAH), as well as in academia as Dean of the
Faculty of Arts at Birzeit University. Following
this role, she came to international prominence as
the spokesperson for the Palestinian delegation
to the Madrid and Washington peace talks. Today
she continues to occupy a prominent position
within the Palestinian government as a member of
the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). P Zahira Kamal Zahira Kamal has occupied the position of
Palestinian National Authority Minister for
Women's Affairs, since the ministry was
established in 2004. With a background as
a teacher and social and political activist,
Dr. Kamal has been at the vanguard of the
Palestinian women's movement since the 1970s.
Along with Hanan Ashrawi and Suad Amiry, Dr.
Kamal was one of only three Palestinian women
who took part in the Middle East peace talks in
Washington in 1990. She has worked extensively
in Palestinian civil society with a number
of organizations including the Federation
of Palestinian Women's Action Committee
(FPWAC). Hind Khoury Hind Khoury worked for a number of years with UNDP/PAPP, before taking up the position of Palestinian National
Authority Minister of State. She now holds the prominent cabinet position of Minister for Jerusalem Affairs, where
she is responsible for handling the very sensitive issue of the final status of Jerusalem. Minister Khoury was also an
active civil society leader for many years, focusing on developmental, religious and women's affairs.